Genomics will be woven into the healthcare landscape as a common thread that connects all aspects of our health. In order to do that effectively, we need to evolve education to expand the reach and diversity of the genomics workforce.
Many genetics providers, policy makers, professional societies, patient advocacy groups, and industries have identified separate challenges related to the delivery of genetics, and now genomics, in healthcare. However, little has been done to bring these stakeholders together for real conversations on the common challenges we face, and how we can work together to create solutions that positively impact patients and bring these technological and genomics advances to everyday care.
It is with great enthusiasm that I announce the official launch of the Institute for Genomics Education, Workforce & Leadership at Sarah Lawrence College. I joined Sarah Lawrence College on this mission because I have seen firsthand the dynamic transformation of genomics and precision medicine over the past 20 years, and through this role, I see an opportunity to help Sarah Lawrence lead the development of the new workforce needed to support the evolution of genomics and its integration into society. Genomics will be woven into the healthcare landscape as a common thread that connects all aspects of our health. In order to do that effectively, we need to evolve education to expand the reach and diversity of the genomics workforce.
At its core, the Institute is a home for new and innovative genomics education programs and learning experiences aimed at growing a diverse and evolving genomics workforce. While data analytics and artificial intelligence (AI) will play a large role in the evolution of healthcare and precision medicine, a human workforce will remain critical in the delivery of this care. We must continue to ideate on how we can ensure that ethics, diversity, inclusivity, privacy, justice and humanism are woven into the education of the genomics workforce and not overlooked as we move precision medicine forward. We will convene those who are on the front lines, who understand the most critical workforce gaps to deliver genomics healthcare today, and who can see into the next 10 years to understand the genomics training gaps of tomorrow. The Institute will become a place for the healthcare community to discuss, understand and create awareness for the downstream implications of workforce gaps on our ability to deliver true ethical, equitable and effective percision medicine.
The Institute will become a place for the healthcare community to discuss, understand and create awareness for the downstream implications of workforce gaps on our ability to deliver true ethical, equitable and effective personalized medicine.
As a certified genetic counselor, Sarah Lawrence played an integral role in my professional development. While I am not an alum of the Joan H. Marks Graduate Program in Human Genetics, my ability to become a genetic counselor is directly due to the Sarah Lawrence College genetic counseling program. As the first to offer a master’s degree in genetic counseling, Sarah Lawrence College has been essential in the creation of genetic counselor education that has advanced the integration of genetics into healthcare and built a workforce armed with the skills and knowledge to adapt to a changing medical landscape. Through my time here at Sarah Lawrence, I have come to appreciate the college’s unique dedication to the humanistic side of genetics education. This perspective and focus aptly prepares us to train a genomics workforce that can work in concert with technology and dynamic scientific advancement while ensuring a focus on core human values.
We hope you will join us! If you are interested in participating in our conversations about the genomics workforce challenges and genomics education needs, please request an invitation to one of our upcoming events or sign up for updates from the Institute.
-Kelle Steenblock, Director of the Institute for Genomics Education, Workforce & Leadership